episode_0147

“Oh, by the way, what about Anonymous?”

“Are you trying to say hello?”

When asked about the nameless person’s whereabouts, Lucius nodded slightly.

Hmm, it seems safe. I guess it’ll be okay.

Above all, I remember that Lucius and Nameless were on good terms.

Maybe it’s a similar relationship between me and Camilla?

“Anonymous, come out.”

As soon as the call was made, the nameless one slowly emerged from between the bushes.

Lucius asked me with a somewhat sheepish expression.

“Are you nearby…?”

“Hmm, then. How could I possibly be separate from Nameless?”

“… That’s definitely true.”

The nameless man standing in front of us glanced at the gathered knights for a moment, then bowed his head to greet Lucius.

“Anonymous, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, it’s been a long time.”

The anonymous expression on his face, his lips reddened as if he was dissatisfied with something.

When I tilted my head in wonder, Moo-myeong sighed deeply and shook his head slightly.

“… You don’t have to worry about it.”

“Hmm… Really?”

I thought you’d be happy to see your old friend again after a long time, but you don’t seem all that happy.

* * *

I think I walked day and night for about two days?

It took quite some time to get back to the cabin.

Of course, it wasn’t the fault of Anumyeong or Lucius, but of the knights swarming behind them.

“Hey, come to your senses.”

“… Stop it. Can’t you see that you’re foaming at the mouth?”

The knight I knocked out is still being carried by my colleague, perhaps because he hasn’t woken up yet.

At that point I was worried that he might be dead, but fortunately, when I checked, his heart was beating.

“It’s noisy.”

“That’s right.”

About 50 people gathered in front of the cabin.

… If it were original, it would have been just me and Moo-myeong.

As I was looking at them with a strange feeling, Lucius came up to me.

“Cheonharangnim.”

“Huh? Why are you calling me?”

Lucius’s sweat dripping down his face seemed to indicate that he was watching closely.

Lucius glanced at the nameless man and asked me while covering his mouth.

“Maybe I can sleep in a tent with them…?”

“… Why?”

When I tilted my head with a bewildered expression, Lucius conveyed his intention with a firm ‘yes’.

… Well, I don’t know why.

“Do whatever you want.”

“Thank you.”

I nodded my head since there was no particular reason to stop me.

Does he like sleeping outside?

… Strangely, the anonymous expression seems to have brightened.

“But, Master.”

“What is it?”

“Are you worried about the answer?”

Oh, right.

* * *

On a quiet night, I am sitting across from an unknown person, talking to him, with only a candle lit.

It’s okay if you eavesdrop, because it’s an answer I’ll give them.

The curtain was left open in case Anonymous could tell a different story.

Maybe Lucius won’t hear it either.

“So, you think there is no reason to go to the palace?”

“Yes.”

The nameless man nodded slightly and added.

“Rather, it is more likely that Lucius was sent to call us to the palace.”

The anonymous explanation was as follows:

The Emperor knows that there is a friendship between us and the group of warriors. The reason I went to the Academy as a temporary professor in the first place was because Camilla asked me to, so it should be easy to infer from that.

Well, Lucius himself might have said it.

Anyway, the Emperor knows that Lucius’s personality is said to be just and values justice.

Of course, that was true, but it was important that the Emperor knew him.

Could Lucius point his sword at me, a man he knows well?

The Emperor probably thought no.

So, I guess they sent Lucius anyway.

Otherwise, there would be no reason to send Lucius, right?

There is no reason for me to send Lucius away with the risk of him getting hurt when the Demon King might rise again.

Perhaps there was some kind of assurance that Lucius and I would not clash.

That’s friendship.

“But what does the Emperor want me to do by calling me to the palace?”

“This is just my guess… .”

They say that if I ever reach the palace and meet the Emperor face to face, he will say this.

‘No matter how right your intentions may be, it is true that you have attacked the heart of the empire.’

By saying things like this, he will be laying the groundwork that what he is saying is not for personal greed but for the greater good.

‘The imperial power has been shaken by that commotion, so wouldn’t it be quiet if you showed me that you were helping me?’

He said he would tell me his personal wishes while making me feel guilty.

He tilted his head with a questioning expression.

“Can’t you just refuse?”

“I don’t think you would be able to refuse, Master.”

When I asked why, the anonymous person replied,

“Wouldn’t you like to join the Cheonma Shingyo?”

“…”

Sure, I can’t refuse. But.

“Then, even if I don’t go, wouldn’t that guy be able to get involved in the Cheonma Shingyo?”

“… That’s true, but.”

There’s a difference in the weight of something you do face to face versus something you just guess on your own.

“If what I say is true, wouldn’t it be difficult for you, Master?”

“… That’s true.”

“From here on out, it’s just unfounded speculation… .”

Perhaps the Emperor will not turn us into enemies unless we go to the palace.

As you said, we don’t know when the Demon King will be resurrected, and every single piece of power is important. How can you make us your enemies instead of making us your allies?

“The Emperor wouldn’t be that stupid.”

“… Ugh.”

Of course, if I only talk like this, it will only harm me, so I said I would give him a carrot.

“I don’t know the details either.”

“… Well, it’s amazing that you even thought that far, so don’t make an apologetic face.”

He patted the nameless man’s shoulder, who had an apologetic expression, and sighed deeply.

Isn’t that an idea I’ve never thought of?

There is no reason for the anonymous to feel guilty.

“Hmm, then you’ve put a lot of thought into it.”

“Yes, I think no one can match the Emperor when it comes to commanding people.”

It’s annoying… .

Then, should we go in the direction of rejecting the Emperor’s words?

“Then, it’s late at night, so get some sleep.”

“Yes, Master.”

When the nameless man, who was nodding his head, tried to get up from his seat, I grabbed his arm and tilted my head.

“Where are you going?”

“… Yes? I’m going back to my room.”

Hmm, if I go out now, won’t Lucius, who’s outside, misunderstand?

If that’s the case, then being anonymous would be really difficult.

Oh, of course I’m not talking about relationships between men and women.

Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for an anonymous person to be seen alone with the teacher at this late hour?

Well, it may seem like you’ve been holding me back and nagging me until now.

Men at that age have strong pride in that area, so if possible, there is no need to show them that you are leaving my room at this time.

“Come here.”

I called out to Mumyeong while tapping the spread out bedding. For some reason, I noticed sweat running down Mumyeong’s forehead.

“… I don’t think so.”

The nameless man who said that tried to pull his arm away from me, but would he be able to do it?

I smiled faintly and pulled the nameless person to me and laid him down on the blanket.

“Don’t be too shy, I’ll just accept your request to sleep in the same room as your teacher after a long time.”

Do you understand? As he added softly, the nameless man nodded with a red face.

It should have happened a long time ago.

“I’ll turn off the lights, so get some sleep.”

“Can I sleep…?”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing… .”

It’s bland.

Since it was a blanket that I usually used alone, it was too small for two people to sleep on, so I used a cotton blanket as a pillow and laid down.

Even without my strength, the weight of the body itself could be lifted with just one finger.

I guess it’ll be okay.

“If you feel uncomfortable, tell me.”

“… It’s not uncomfortable… but it’s also uncomfortable… .”

“What does that mean?”

“… Nothing.”

* * *

“Today is another strong and powerful morning!”

One morning, before the sun had fully risen, I stretched my arms and shouted my usual slogan.

-Ugh

Lucius crawled out of the tent with the cool sound of bones snapping together.

“Oh Lucius, you’re up early?”

The sun hasn’t even risen yet.

As expected, Lucius seems to have a habit of early morning training.

That’s great.

Lucius, who had just woken up, covered his mouth and let out a small yawn, then opened his eyes wide and pointed behind me.

“… I woke up, but did you not sleep well, Anonymous?”

I tilted my head and looked in the direction Lucius was pointing.

The nameless one seen there.

Somehow the dark circles look darker.

“Huh? Did you stay up all night, Anonymous?”

“… No.”

Anonymous sighed deeply and shook his head.

“Hmm, what! More than that.”

I smiled and opened my mouth to Lucius.

“Tell the Emperor!”

“… It hasn’t even been a day yet, and you’ve already decided?”

“Then!”

The sooner you make a decision, the better.

They’ll want to go back quickly too.

Just as I was about to express my position.

“… Hmm?”

“Why are you like that?”

“… I feel the presence of many people.”

There were probably hundreds of people heading this way.

…who could it be?